Introduction

Gabriel Novak is a composer, songwriter and performer currently finishing his PhD in music composition with a minor in music theory from The University of Chicago, studying with Augusta Read Thomas and Steve Rings, respectively. Synthesizing sounds from jazz, classical, rock, blues and many others drawn from both an old and modern American vernacular, Novak blurs the lines between genres in his music constantly. Recent projects have included: Spur for brass quintet, a collaboration with Axiom Brass; languor | torpor, written for Quatuor Diotima; and a live session with Plena Libre featuring the recording death is a drum beating forever. Novak graduated with a Bachelor of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music with a double major in composition and music theory, studying with Keith Fitch, Steven Mark Kohn and Diane Urista. There, he delivered his senior thesis, “Analytical Multiplicity and the Functional Passing Tone.” An avid educator and clinician, Novak has taught numerous courses in music theory, composition, electronic music production, and choral writing and arranging, as well as several master classes and clinics. 

Education

  • BM Composition and Music Theory, Cleveland Institute of Music
  • PhD, University of Chicago, in progress